Mendocino County Deputies Search for Missing 17-Year-Old After Her Car Was Detected in San Francisco

Vehicle detection in the city has become a key lead in a weeks-long missing-juvenile investigation

Authorities in Mendocino County are seeking public assistance in locating a 17-year-old girl who disappeared from Philo on January 2, 2026, after her vehicle was detected later that day in San Francisco.

The teen, identified by law enforcement as Sara Gene Keene, was last seen leaving her foster parents’ home at about 11 a.m. on January 2. Investigators say her car, a white 2013 Acura TSX four-door sedan with California license plate 9UYY222, was subsequently detected by automatic license plate readers in San Francisco on the same date.

Police describe Keene as 4 feet 11 inches tall, weighing about 115 pounds, with blonde hair and blue eyes. She was last reported wearing a black sweatshirt, black sweatpants and black tennis shoes.

What investigators say happened after Keene left home

In statements relayed by investigators, Keene’s foster parent reported that the teen had expressed interest in visiting a friend in San Francisco but had been told not to go. Shortly after leaving, the foster parent said Keene turned off location services on her cellphone, and family members have been unable to track her. Authorities say Keene has not contacted her foster parents since.

Mendocino County investigators issued a regional “be on the lookout” alert to agencies in San Francisco and surrounding Bay Area counties and entered Keene’s information into the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System as a missing juvenile.

San Francisco lead checked, but teen and vehicle not located

Investigators have been coordinating with San Francisco police as they attempt to determine Keene’s movements after her vehicle was detected in the city. Police checked a possible address connected to Keene’s friend on January 9, 2026, but authorities said they were unable to locate Keene, the friend, or the Acura.

The case underscores both the value and limitations of automated license plate readers in missing-person investigations. A single detection can establish that a vehicle passed a specific camera location at a specific time, but it does not confirm who was driving or where the vehicle went next.

How the public can help

• Anyone who believes they have information about Keene’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 463-4086.
• If Keene is located and appears to be in immediate danger, the public should call 911.

Missing-person investigations can change quickly as new tips, digital traces, and confirmed sightings are vetted and compared against timelines and location data.

As of January 21, 2026, authorities have not announced that Keene has been found.